Rainy Day

Today was our first really lousy weather day. Rain, rain, and more rain. I did not feel like teaching and the kids did not feel like sitting and learning so once we got through our math lesson I loaded them into the car so we could grocery shopping for Rosh Hashana. For some reason, having the family at our house seemed like a good idea. It was a great idea until I realized I had to cook a large meal. Right now I have prepped the brisket and it is in its pan in the fridge to sit overnight (thanks mom for the best brisket recipe ever) and the chicken soup is simmering on the stove. Tomorrow I will make the brisket, matzoh balls, noodle kugel, and one more yet to be determined side dish that involves carrots. Oy Vey! Sunday we will experiment with making our own Challah. This way if it does not work out I will still be able to buy one on Monday.


La Shanah Tovah!

Botanical Gardens

Today we headed out to the Botanical Gardens (http://www.njbg.org/) to meet up with some friends and enjoy the day. We saw many beautiful plantings, however, the highlights for the children was the tree they could climb in the parking lot and the chipmunk sighting. They also loved climbing giant rocks, digging up worms, rolling down a hill, looking for frogs, and just running around.

Another Beautiful Day

We are taking full advantage of the gorgeous fall weather. Today we attempted to hold History class outside. We also decided it would be fun to do it picnic style rather than at the table. So we lay out a blanket, kick off our shoes and settle in. We are going along in our book about Mesopotamia and The Fertile Crescent. Talking about Nomads, how they became farmers, the domestication of animals, etc. when my darling daughter lets out a very loud scream of "There is a bee on my shoe!" Followed by general screaming. Truly my daughter-for I would have loved to do the same thing-but I am the grown up. I have to be mature and calm (even when screaming on the inside). I bravely picked up her shoes and walked over to where the children were quaking by the door. We wisely continued the lesson inside. I do not need to be that up close and personal with the bees. I know they are vital to life on earth and I do love honey but when they fly by I get the message that I should move on.

Once History was over (which was not much past the bee incident due to loss of concentration) we decided to go on a picnic in the park.

For some inexplicable reason the multiple bees in the park were not as terrifying as the one on the shoe. Truly amazing.

Beautiful Day!

Today was one of those perfect Autumn Days. Crisp air, not too hot, and not too cold. So wonderful that I decided we should have science class outside. The experiment: Gather different objects, observe, classify, and draw conclusions.

The kids really loved it!

Lesson in Government Agency

Today we took a field trip to the Department of Motor Vehicles. A study in how a government agency works. A study in interpersonal skills, line flow, and financial transactions.

Okay, I misplaced the registration to the mini-van and needed a new one. However, they interacted with the Help Desk, watched me wait on line (a blissfully short wait-only one person ahead of me), and saw me hand over cash for the new registration. They also did a study on the best location for a snack machine to maximize sales.

Our Homeschool Adventure

This decision is probably the bravest thing I have ever done. I am sure by the end of this journey we will have laughed, cried, wished we had never done this, wished we had decided to do it sooner, wished it to be over, and to never end.





Day 1:
After the obligatory first day mugshot the children had their first Practical Life Skills Lesson (Home Economics to oldies such as myself). If you want to eat you need to learn how to cook.